Material Science and Engineering
Materials Science studies the fundamental physical and chemical basis for the
controlled combination of atoms to form new compounds, phases, and
microstructures, as well as the characterization of the resulting structures and
properties, aiming to understand the structure-processing-properties relationships in
the final product. Materials Engineering focuses on the synthesis of materials in
useful quantities, and on the processing of materials into engineering products.
Materials engineering draws heavily on the fundamental knowledge gained from
materials science, and adapts the processes involved for the scale and requirements of
the application. Materials Science and Engineering is an interdisciplinary research
area appearing in an autonomous and legible form. During the last few decades we
have witnessed a significant revolution towards the applications of novel materials.
Some examples of this revolution include the explosive evolution of microelectronics,
the extended use of synthetic polymers, the development of high-strength steels
capable of operating at elevated temperatures, the development of new biocompatible
materials as well as the applicability of highly transparent glasses used in optical-fiber
telecommunications. Furthermore, the area of Nanotechnology i.e. the Science and
Engineering of Nanostructures has come to the fore at an international level, as a
broad interscientific area of research and development.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.)
Graduate students are awarded a doctoral degree by the Department of Mechanical
and Manufacturing Engineering upon completing the required programme of study
and successfully writing and defending their Ph.D. thesis.
Admission to the Ph.D. Programme
Applicants to the Ph.D. programme must hold the equivalent of a B.Sc. or M.Sc.
degree in Mechanical and/or Manufacturing Engineering, or in a related field of
science or engineering, from the University of Cyprus or other accredited university.
Candidates must submit an application form to the Department within the announced
time limits. The evaluation criteria for candidates to the Ph.D. programme are the
same as for applicants to the M.Sc. programme (see relevant paragraph above).
Familiarity with the English language is required for admission to the doctoral
programme.
Students should select, in consultation with their advisors, the courses that will fulfill
the requirements for their Ph.D. thesis. Most coursework eligible for the Ph.D.
programme must be graduate-level courses. Ph.D. students are considered full-time if
they are enrolled in 22 or more ECTS each semester.
Transfer of Credit and Student Exchanges
Students admitted to the Ph.D. programme in Mechanical and Manufacturing
Engineering from an accredited undergraduate programme may, upon approval of
their petition to the MME Graduate Studies Committee, transfer ECTS for graduate
coursework they have successfully completed towards the requirements of the M.Sc.
degree, according to the General Graduate Studies Regulations.
Students who have joined the doctoral programme after successfully completing a
relevant M.Sc. programme can be credited with up to 60 ECTS.
ECTS for previously completed graduate work are credited only after approval by the
Graduate Studies Committee of the MME Department, following a justified petition
by the student.
In the framework of inter-university student exchange programmes, Ph.D. students
may, upon agreement with their advisor and approval of their petition to the MME
Graduate Studies Committee, attend courses and conduct research at an accredited
university abroad.
Comprehensive Examination
Admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. programme is granted when the student has
satisfactorily passed a comprehensive examination intended to evaluate fundamental
ability and knowledge in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.
For students with a B.Sc. degree, the comprehensive examination must be taken no
later than three academic semesters after the student enrolled in the Ph.D. programme.
For students with an M.Sc degree, the comprehensive examination must be taken no
later than two academic semesters after the student enrolled in the Ph.D. programme.
Ph.D. Thesis
An original research study and a thesis are required for the Ph.D. degree. The subject
of the students’ research is chosen in consultation with their advisor.
Dissertation Proposal
Doctoral students must prepare a brief written proposal (no more than 20 pages) of
their intended doctoral research, and make a comprehensive oral presentation, before
the Dissertation Committee and a representative from the MME Graduate Studies
Committee, that demonstrates a sound understanding of the dissertation topic, the
relevant literature, the techniques to be employed, the issues to be addressed and the
work completed to-date. The proposal must be made within a year after admission to
candidacy (after passing the Comprehensive Examination) and at least one year before
the intended date of defence.
Doctoral Dissertation
The doctoral dissertation must address current and valid scientific and/or technical
issue(s) primarily by fundamental research, leading to new scientific and/or
engineering knowledge. Applied research and development aspects, leading to a
prototype or an application of this basic research, may also be included as a secondary
component of the dissertation. The research must be novel and original, and of the
highest scholarly standards, qualifying it as acceptable for publication in international
academic journals.
The dissertation must be based on significant research findings by the doctoral
candidate, distinguished clearly from the work of others, testifying to the candidate’s
personal contribution and scholarship, and acknowledging support by others in or
outside the University. In addition, the broader impacts of the research must be
highlighted in the dissertation, in terms of opening new scientific or engineering areas
or issues, and generating new technical applications and innovations. Broader impacts
must also be indicated in promoting learning innovation, education at all student
levels and training of the workforce; involving underrepresented groups in science
and engineering; establishing physical infrastructure (laboratory resources, software
programs, etc.) and virtual resources (centres, networks, etc.); setting dissemination
plans through scholarly publications and presentations, and outreach through the
media to the public, etc.; and indicating societal implications of the work, including
public health and safety, security, environmental impacts, etc.
Dissertation Defence
Doctoral candidates are required to defend the originality, independence, and quality
of their research during an oral dissertation defence.
For more information about the procedure for the Comprehensive Exam, the
Dissertation Proposal, the Doctoral Dissertation and the Dissertation Defence, see the
Admission and Attendance Regulations – Application Requirements on page 16, or
consult the Office of Postgraduate Studies, Academic Affairs and Student Welfare
Services (tel. 22894021/61) or the Department’s Secretariat.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Materials Science and Engineering
Graduate students are awarded the M.Sc. degree in Materials Science and
Engineering after successfully completing the required programme of study,
succeeding in the Comprehensive Examination and successfully defending and
writing their Ph.D. thesis.
Requirements for the acquisition of the Ph.D. Degree in Materials Science and
Engineering
The programme of study leading to the Ph.D. degree in Materials Science and
Engineering requires the completion of at least of 240 ECTS in graduate level courses
(beyond any taken for the Bachelors degree) and research work distributed as follows:
Selective compulsory Courses:
– Course selection from Group B
Thesis Research (MME 801-816):
Graduate Seminar I-IV (MME 601-4)
48 ECTS
160 ECTS
8 ECTS
• Selection of at least one of the following:
– Additional coursework outside MME or from Group B
– Additional coursework from Group A
– Independent Study (MME 605)
TOTAL
24 ECTS
240 ECTS
Indicative Programme of studies – Ph.D. Degree
1st SEMESTER
Course Ι
Course ΙI
Course ΙII
Postgraduate Seminar Ι
Thesis Research Ι
TOTAL
3rd SEMESTER
Course VII
Course VIII
ECTS
8
8
8
1
5
30
8
8
2nd SEMESTER
Course IV
Course V
Course VI
Postgraduate Seminar ΙI
Thesis Research ΙI
TOTAL
4th SEMESTER
Course IX or Independent Study
Postgraduate seminar ΙV
ECTS
8
8
8
1
5
30
8
5
Postgraduate Seminar ΙII
Thesis Research ΙII
TOTAL
5th SEMESTER
Thesis Research V
TOTAL
7th SEMESTER
Thesis Research VII
Thesis Writing I
TOTAL
Thesis Research ΙV
15
TOTAL
28
30
30
6th SEMESTER
Thesis Research VI
TOTAL
30
30
20
10
30
8th SEMESTER
Thesis Research VIII
Thesis Writing II
TOTAL
20
10
30
1
15
32